Neck and shoulder protective garment

ABSTRACT

A neck and shoulder protective garment that functions to protect the skin while utilizing a heated grooming device such as a curling iron. A neck protection section is attached to a shoulder protection section. A connection section is attached to the neck protection section and functions to secure the protective garment around the user&#39;s neck. In a preferred embodiment the connection section is a Velcro® hook and loop fastening device. Also, in a preferred embodiment the protective garment is fabricated from flexible, fire retardant and fire resistant material.

The present invention relates to protective garments, and in particular,to protective garments to be worn while handling heated groomingdevices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is very common for people to spend time and expense to improve theirappearance and a major area of focus is their hair. From the time achild is born and up through old age, hair is cleaned, cut and styled.Many people, and in particular females, like to curl their hair. Theappliance that is commonly used to curl hair is a hand held curlingiron. A woman who uses a curling iron may use it almost every day.Still, even for skilled users, the curling iron can be dangerous. Amajor concern for the curling iron is that it can cause a painful burnthat can even scar if the curling iron touches the skin of the user. Themost common areas that are susceptible to burn by a curling iron are theneck and shoulders of the user. There are some prior art devices thatpurport to minimize the risk of burn, but these devices are cumbersomeand unsightly. Therefore, most women do not use these devices.

What is needed is a better device for protecting the user's neck andshoulders while using a hot hair grooming device, such as a curlingiron.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a neck and shoulder protective garmentthat functions to protect the skin while utilizing a heated groomingdevice such as a curling iron. A neck protection section is attached toa shoulder protection section. A connection section is attached to theneck protection section and functions to secure the protective garmentaround the user's neck. In a preferred embodiment the connection sectionis a Velcro® hook and loop fastening device. Also, in a preferredembodiment the protective garment is fabricated from flexible, fireretardant and fire resistant material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 show a user donning a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred neck protection section.

FIG. 4 shows a preferred shoulder protection section.

FIG. 5 shows a neck protection section sewn to a shoulder protectionsection.

FIG. 6 shows another preferred neck protection section.

FIGS. 7-8 show a user donning another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Protective garment 1 thoroughly covers and protects the user's neck andshoulders. Additionally, it has a sleek and attractive appearance.Therefore, people will want to wear it while using a hot groominginstrument such as a curling iron.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the major components of protective garment 1. FIG. 3shows neck protection section 5. Stretchable fabric 2 is sewn to bottomtrim 3. Velcro® hook section 4 is sewn to the left side of neck section5 and is facing up. Velcro® loop section 6 is shown in dotted line andis sewn to the right side of neck section 5 and is facing downward. FIG.4 shows shoulder protection section 10. When connected hook section 4and loop section 6 form hook and loop connection section 7 (FIG. 1).Hook and loop connection section 7 securely attaches protective garment1 to the user.

To form protective garment 1, neck protection section 5 is sewn toshoulder protection section 10 along threaded connection 15 as shown inFIG. 5.

Neck protection section 5 and shoulder protection section 10 may be madeof any color fabric. Preferably both neck protection section 5 andshoulder protection section 10 are stretchable and resistant to heat andfire. In one preferred embodiment protective garment 1 is fabricatedfrom cotton and cotton blends, preferably knitted and/or elasticized. Inother preferred embodiments protective garment 1 is fabricated fromNomex® and/or Kevlar® and/or other fire retardant and fire resistantmaterials.

To use protective garment 1, the user dons the garment as shown in FIGS.1 and 2. Neck protection section 5 preferably completely wraps aroundand covers the neck. Preferably neck section 5 includes stretchablefabric 2, as explained above. Neck section 5 fits snuggly on the userand is held in place by friction force between the user's neck andstretchable fabric 2. Shoulder protection section 10 drapes over theuser's shoulders as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be noted thatbecause protective garment 1 is preferably fabricated from flexiblefabric, it is therefore capable of comfortably fitting women of avariety of sizes. For example, a very small petite woman can donprotective garment 1 as well as a very large woman.

FIG. 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Neckprotection section 5 includes upper ribbon section 20 sewn to the top ofneck protection section 5. Ribbon section 20 is preferably fabricatedfrom light weight, comfortable flame resistant cotton. Preferably,ribbon section 20 includes rear neck ribbon free section 21. Ribbonsection 20 increases the comfort level of protective garment 1.

For example, FIG. 7 shows a user donning protective garment 1 withribbon section 20. Ribbon section 20 abuts the user's chin and is muchmore comfortable for the user. FIG. 8 shows a rear view of protectivegarment 1 and ribbon section 20. Ribbon free section 21 is shown. Ribbonfree section 21 provides an area for hair to freely flow and it alsoallows the user to move her head backwards without significantlydisturbing the rest of ribbon section 20.

Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described withspecificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that manychanges to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, eventhough it was stated that in a preferred embodiment protective garment 1is stretchable so that it can fit a variety of user's, it should also benoted that protective garment 1 can be fabricated in a variety of sizesto fit different sized users. A small protective garment 1 can befabricated to fit a small, petite woman or an large protective garmentcan be made to fit a large woman. Also, even though the above examplesdiscuss using the protective garment for women, it should be understoodthat some men like to use hair curling irons and the men can also useprotective garment 1 for protection. Therefore, the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents should determine the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1) A neck and shoulder protective garment to protectthe skin while utilizing a heated grooming device, comprising: A) a neckprotection section, B) a shoulder protection section attached to saidneck protection section, and C) a connection section attached to saidneck protection section, said connection section for securing saidprotective garment around the user's neck. 2) The neck and shoulderprotective garment as in claim 1, further comprising a ribbon sectionattached to said neck protection section, wherein said ribbon sectionabuts the user's chin to provide increased comfort to the user. 3) Theneck and shoulder protection garment as in claim 2, wherein said ribbonsection comprises a ribbon free section for improved comfort, hairaccess and neck movement. 4) The neck and shoulder protective garment asin claim 1, wherein said protective garment is fabricated fromstretchable fabric. 5) The neck and shoulder protective garment as inclaim 1, wherein said protective garment is held in place by frictionforce between said neck protection section and the user's neck. 6) Theneck and shoulder protection system as in claim 1, wherein saidconnection section is a hook and loop fastening device. 7) The neck andshoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said protectivegarment is fabricated from fire resistant material. 8) The neck andshoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said protectivegarment is fabricated from fire retardant material. 9) The neck andshoulder protective garment as in claim 1, wherein said heated groomingdevice is a curling iron.